Anise

Plant family

Rose family (Rosaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Germination temperature

15 - 20 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

30 cm

Row spacing

30 cm

Seeding depth

0.2 cm

Instructions

Description

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is a species of the umbelliferae family (Apiaceae). Its seeds are used as a spice in cooking or in medicine. The annual, herbaceous plant reaches growth heights of up to 70 cm/27.6 in. Its white flowers bloom from June to September. From them ripen the fruits. These can be harvested from August to September.

Growing tips

The soil around the seedlings must be kept weed-free and it can take up to 4 weeks for the plantlets to show themselves. Also, anise is a dark seedling, so plant at least 1 cm/0.4 in deep in the soil. Weeds in the bed must be removed regularly. Thrives well in humus-rich, slightly calcareous and well-drained soil. It is a deep rooter, the roots can grow up to 60 cm/23.6 in deep, so the soil should not be too firm. Only when the pods turn brown should the seeds be harvested, as their aroma is most pronounced then. After harvesting, hang upside down to dry and place a cloth underneath to catch the seeds. The essential oils of anise have a proven repellent effect against aphids and the caterpillar of the cabbage white butterfly. Place it next to vulnerable ornamental or crop plants and their feeding damage may be limited. Keep cultivation pause and do not plant after carrots or other umbellifers.